Mill Rats Rally Late, Beat Aviators 11-6

Recap courtesy of the Johnstown Mill Rats

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - On a beautiful evening in Johnstown, the Mill Rats continued their homestand versus the Lafayette Aviators. Bark in the Park Night saw 712 patrons along with their furry companions watch the Mill Rats defeat the Aviators 11-6 in a high scoring affair.

The Aviators struck first, scoring 2 runs in the top of the first on a single up the middle. The Mill Rats got one back on a solo shot from newly signed Mill Rat Necumba Booker Jr. in the bottom of the third inning. However, the Aviators struck back in the top of the fourth, scoring one run on an RBI single to center to extend their lead 3-1. The Mill Rats would again get one back in the bottom half of the inning as Pete Capobianco would score on a passed ball.

After a few scoreless innings by both teams, the Mill Rats would end up breaking through in the seventh scoring three runs. Randy Carlo IV would score on an error by the pitcher, and both D.J. Alexander and Andrew Kribbs would score as Joe Capobianco would reach safely on an error committed by the Aviators first basemen. However, the Aviators would not go away quietly as Drew Mize would hit a three run inside the park homerun to take the lead 6-5 in the top of the eighth inning.

Going into the bottom of the eighth, the resilient Rats would look to rally back and take the lead going into the ninth. They would rally back and then some as they would go on to score six runs to take the lead 11-6 going into the ninth inning. Randy Carlo IV would start off the scoring as he reached safely on an error and his teammate Joe Alcorn would come around to score. Some clutch hitting would follow as D.J. Alexander doubled down the line over the third baseman's head scoring Carlo IV and Pete Capobianco, giving the Mill Rats the lead 8-6. Necumba Booker Jr. would add some insurance runs, as he doubled to left scoring Alexander and Kribbs.The Mill Rats would add one as Billy Adams reached on an error, scoring Booker Jr.

Mill Rats pitcher Tre Benjamin came in and got the final three outs to secure the win for the Mill Rats. Pitcher Will Knight went five and two thirds only allowing three runs. Marshall McGraw gets credited with the win and threw two and a third innings.also only allowing three runs. The Mill Rats will look to end their final homestand with a win against the Lafayette Aviators Saturday night at 7 p.m. down at the Point Stadium.